Modern-Day Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA Imagined by French Designer

If the Porsche 911 is the model that even its creators couldn't kill, then Alfa Romeo is surely its brand equivalent in the automotive world. It’s not that Fiat's management didn’t try (willingly or not), but in a peculiar way, Alfa (unlike Saab, for instance) always made a comeback.

Maybe it's the Italian flair that makes you forget sins of the past or the niggles of its current portfolio (Brera seating position, anyone?), but the Alfisti remain faithful to their beloved brand.

One such Alfa Romeo enthusiasts is independent French designer Vincent Montreuil. He may not be Italian, but then again, no one ever said that Alfas were adored only in their home country.

While the Americans are still waiting for the company to stay true to its promise and eventually return to the U.S., Vincent created some pretty convincing renderings of a 21st century Alfa Romeo coupe.

It's a modern day, front-engined, rear-wheel drive iteration of the legendary Giulia GTA of the 1960’s that he made during his last year in arts school.

Just as GTA stood for Gran Turismo Alleggerita (lightweight), messieurs' Montreuil Giulia was conceived, in his own words, as a “sport and light coupe concept". And if it was his call, he would make it really light, only 800 kg (just shy of 1,800 pounds) and give it a 200HP engine.

Now, we know that Alfa is already working on the (mid-engined) 4C and that the Giulia name is earmarked for the (unfashionably late) 159 replacement.

This does not detract from Vincent’s work one bit though. Besides, we wouldn’t bet against the Italians changing the new sedan’s name at the last moment. Either way, feel free to visit his website and perhaps leave your comments.

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Kia's Paris Show Mini Car Concept

Kia has released new photos of his concept of POP mini electric car a week before his scheduled world premiere at the Auto World 2010 in Paris. The study too futuristic for a small electric vehicle was written by Kia design team in Europe, led by Peter Schreyer, Chief Designer Kia Manager, and Gregory Guillaume, chief designer of the company in Europe.

"A concept car that POP can only come from us," says Gregory Guillaume. "Designers have rarely an opportunity to start from a clean piece of paper and it's nice to be able to function with such freedom. "

This translates into freedom in a car is only three feet long, 15 mm or longer than the Toyota iQ / Scion, with doors and seating for three with a seat next to a sofa as before and only one seat in the rear, which seems perfect for 'out' or young people in revenge for his mother-in-law.

South Korean manufacturer must keep a tight lid further details.

POP concept car from Kia is the Paris Motor Show with a number of production models, including the new Optima sedan, which will debut Euro before going on sale in some European countries this year. Kia said sales in Western Europe beginning in 2011. EU-spec Optima will be offered with a choice of two power plants, a 1.7-liter turbo diesel of 136 hp and a 2.0-liter engine delivers 170 horsepower.

 

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Grateful Auction One-Off Designer Ford Mustang Boss 302 For Charity

Melvin Betancourt is a designer of Ford, 11 years ago, suffered a severe heart problem. Betancourt is now 49 and healthy, thanks to Henry Ford Hospital doctors, who made a very difficult open-heart surgery and saved his life.

You want to give something back, decided to design a thank Betancourt once 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca, which will be auctioned for the benefit of cardiovascular care, research and education departments at the Henry Ford Health System.

"There are talented people who have the ability to do what they do," said Betancourt. .. "I'm here because of them we are all here for the purpose, and perhaps my purpose is to help people through my abilities One of the things I do is customize the vehicle well - Taking a car that already exists and improve it, which is a one-of-a-kind vehicle. "
The Mustang is a one-off Betancourt is a modern version of the 1970 Boss 302, which Parnell Jones won the 1970 Trans-Am Championship. And 'painted the icon of "school bus" yellow AutoAlliance International factory, where all the Mustangs were built.

Instead of using the 1970's style racing stickers, Betancourt decided to paint the black stripes and number 15 on the doors. "I approached the project from the perspective of collection car," he said. "I wondered what would happen if I was given in 1970 and asked me to design a car for Parnelli Jones."

The Mustang was auctioned Saturday, October 15th at "speeds up your heart" of the event and Parnelli Jones signed the order this collector's item even more special.

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Ferrari 458 Italia Re-imagined by French Designer

Almost everyone who has laid eyes on the Ferrari 458 Italia's bodywork will agree that it is a work of art. Even though Ferrari’s people claim that it was function, and especially aerodynamics, that dictated many elements of the 458 Italia's shape, it is perhaps one of the most striking supercars currently on sale along with the Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4.

Surely, no one would dare suggest otherwise, right? Well, not so fast. Olivier Demangel is a French designer and 3D artist who lives in London has cooked up three proposals for a redesigned 458 Italia.

The designer retained most of the Italian supercar’s sculpted lines, but added some new elements of his own.

Demangel says that version 0.5 (the silver car) is a lightly tuned version with subtle add-ons such as side skirts and a lower diffuser. The 458 Italia Version 1.0 takes the aftermarket approach one step further adding more side air vents, while Version 2.0 is, according to Demangel, a tribute to the legendary F40.

Just pass the jump to look at the pictures and watch the videos so you can judge for yourself if Messier Demangel’s proposals improve on the original.

All photos and video courtesy of Olivier Demangel

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